Posted on 12/06/2012 7:27:42 AM PST by massmike
Residents in a Newhall senior apartment complex are protesting an order from management to remove their beloved Christmas tree from the community room because, they were told, it's a religious symbol.
On Tuesday, Tarzana-based JB Partners Group Inc. sent a memo to staff demanding they take down Christmas trees and menorahs in communal areas.
The company has owned The Willows for four years, but this is the first time it's given such a directive to staff.
On Wednesday, two dozen residents in the 75-resident complex gathered in the lobby to place a neon green sign that read: "Please Save Our Tree."
"We're all angry. We want that tree," said Fern Scheel, who has lived at the complex for nearly two years. "Where's our freedom? This is ridiculous."
The Willows staff and JB Property supervisor Wethanie Law declined to comment.
Max Greenis who has lived at the complex for a year with his wife, Bonnie, said he's considering withholding his rent in protest of what he calls an abomination of the holiday tradition.
"I've got grandkids and they come here and now they'll ask, `Grandpa, where's the Christmas tree?' Then I'll have to explain that someone said we couldn't have one. What kind of message is that sending to the kids?" Greenis asked.
After the protest - really more of a gathering over coffee and dougnuts to angrily air their concerns - some residents got so riled that they began taking the tree apart themselves. Some even took parts of the artificial tree back to their apartments in defiance.
"For some folks this is the only Christmas tree they'll have all season," resident Robert Troudeau said. "There are people overseas fighting for our freedoms and dying and we're here fighting over things like this. It's a shame."
(Excerpt) Read more at dailynews.com ...
Shut up you old farts! Don’t you know that this is only for your own good!?
It’s getting closer and closer to “time for a fight.”
Start with “we won’t do it.”
End with, “Try that and make our day.”
Liberals are scum and must be treated as such.
Get a sweater that has a Christmas tree on it, then stand filibuster style where the Christmas tree would have been. Finally, tell management to ‘suck it’.
Sounds like a war on religion to me.
I hope that they win that fight.
JB PARTNERS GROUP INC
6262 RESEDA BLVD, APT 150
TARZANA, CA 91335-6939
(818) 668-8201
The guy who talked about withholding rent is on the right track. It’s a financial protest that will most easily get the management to reverse course. They probably did this because one or two atheists complained, but if they see that ten times as many religious residents threaten to not pay rent, or move out at the end of their lease, then they’ll cave.
That is not a winnable tactic, he will be evicted. If he likes where he is, caution is needed as he may not find a better place.
I agree with annie
not paying rent is NOT the way.
if we all call the managment compnay
address and phone is post above
thanks Red
if the company gets a lot of flack they mught back down
notice there were both menorahs and a tree
Yes, I should have been clearer. I work in property management, and yes, actually withholding rent, in this circumstance, isn’t smart. However, the threat of withholding rent, and the threat of non renewal, will likely cause the management to reverse course.
” Residents in a Newhall senior apartment complex are protesting an order from management to remove their beloved Christmas tree from the community room because, they were told, it’s a religious symbol.”
Ok.
Which religion?
” Residents in a Newhall senior apartment complex are protesting an order from management to remove their beloved Christmas tree from the community room because, they were told, it’s a religious symbol.”
Shaddup you seniors. Aint you never heard of constitutional separation of church and senior citizen apartment complexes?
Here’s the phone number of The Willows Senior Citizens Apartments in Newhall. SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!!: (661) 254-7689
Thanks! Will do tonight.
It may be better if they ALL gave a 30 day notice, or the threat of non renewal will get their attention. That is the best way to handle this.
What a stupid move on the part of that home, but I have a feeling this will be resolved very soon.
Yep. I’m an IT guy, but the company I’ve worked for for 14 years is a property management company, and I’ve had to help out with pretty much every job there (besides maintenance) during my tenure. Plus, my dad owned and managed a couple small buildings, so he drafted me to help with the maintenance on those when I was a kid.
Don't do it anymore, too old..Heck having to pay someone now, lol.
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